Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Heartaches ❯ Chapter 8: Ryoga's Torment ( Chapter 8 )

Chapter 9: Ryoga's Torment

No, Ryoga thought as he raced out of the Tendo's yard in his cursed form, I won't believe it!

Tears streaked down his pig snout as he blindly ran down the street.

Akane, why did you choose Ranma over me? he thought.

Ryoga didn't notice there he was running, nor did he care. When he rammed into something he moved sideways and prepared to run once more.

"P-chan! What are you doing?" a voice asked.

Ryoga looked up and saw Ukyo peering down at him.

"What's wrong?" she asked and leaned over to pick him up.

Ryoga didn't want to be comforted and tried to race away. Unfortunately for him, Ukyo grabbed him by the bandana and picked him up.

"Now see here, I don't know why you're sooo upset but that is no reason to go tearing down the road to who-knows-where! You are coming with me!"

With that said, Ukyo dragged Ryoga into her restaurant (which Ryoga had somehow gotten to). She turned the sign to read "close" and decided to get Ryoga fixed up.

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"All right Ryoga. What's going on?" Ukyo asked.

"Nothin'," he said, averting his gaze.

"Ryoga, you don't run like your tail's on fire for no reason," Ukyo said, giving him a look.

"I'd rather not talk about it," Ryoga quietly said.

"Ahh, well...I see," Ukyo said. "You're welcome to stay here till it gets worked out."

"No thanks, I'll be on my way," Ryoga said.

"No, I insist," Ukyo said forcefully. "You are not roaming around depressed and then firing your energy beam, which can destroy half a block. Got it?"

"Fine," Ryoga mumbled and continued to stare at the floor.

For some reason, Ukyo felt her heart tighten seeing him so sad. She placed a hand on his shoulder and told him,

"Ryoga, if you need to talk I'll be here."

Ryoga nodded mutely and still stared at the floor. Ukyo sighed and went to cook.

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Ryoga stared at the floor and tried to straighten out his feelings. He felt sorrow for losing Akane but joy for her being happy. He felt angry at Ranma for stealing her but happy that Akane was happy. He was so mixed up and confused.

Why? he kept thinking and tried to search for an answer.

But he could not and so he sat. It wasn't until Ukyo returned to check up on him that he stirred from where he was sitting.

"Ryoga? Do you feel hungry?" she asked.

"No thanks," he sighed, sinking further into depression.

"Ryoga, you have to snap out of this," Ukyo told him.

"Why?" he asked.

"For one thing, it's not good to be depressed."

"That's helpful," he told her.

"Come on," Ukyo said, "you and I are going to have some fun."

When Ryoga didn't move, Ukyo grabbed his arm and tried to pull him up. Considering that Ryoga can stop a rampaging boar the size of a mini-van with one hand, this didn't do much good.

Ukyo lost her temper at him and began to yell,

"BAKA! You can't sit and mope all day!"

"How `bout all year?"

Ukyo's spatula collided with Ryoga's head.

"Listen, and listen good," she growled. "I don't care what happened, you cannot let it ruin your life!"

Ryoga gave a half smile and stared at her.

"WHAT?" she said exasperated.

"Remind me to give you this speech when you hear the news."

"WHAT NEWS?"

"You can find it out for yourself. As for me, I'm hitting the road. Thanks."

Ryoga got up and walked out the door. Ukyo counted to three before a red-faced Ryoga came out of the closet and headed for the door leading outside.

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This is familiar...me wandering, trying to get away from it all, Ryoga thought. Never works for long.

Ryoga didn't care where he was going, just as it was away from the Tendos.

I suppose a guy like me has no chance with a girl like Akane, not with Ranma around. Why did I bother to begin with?

The Ryoga remembered when he first met Akane. She had been trying to help Ranma during their battle. One of Ryoga's bandanas had come short of chopping Akane in two. By slim chance, she turned to yell at Ranma and missed being severed. Well, not completely. Her long hair had been cut short.

To cheer her up, he and Ranma let her smack them. Boy, could she hit!

Ryoga gently touched his cheek and tears once more began to fall.

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Ranma had been searching the entire house for Ryoga. Ranma knew his...friend had seen Akane and his confession (hoof prints near the shredded daisies and chewed up candies were good proof). Ranma hoped to find Ryoga before he spilled the beans to one of his other fiancés.

No, he frowned. Not fiancés, Akane's my fiancée.

Anyway, he had to find Ryoga and tell him to zip it so the other girls wouldn't go bizerk.

"What are you looking for?" Akane ask Ranma as he looked in the bushes outside.

"P-chan, have you seen him?"

"No, why? What are you going to do to him?" Akane asked, frowning slightly.

"Nothing!" Ranma said, raising his hands innocently.

Akane gave him an odd face before entering the house.

Ryoga, where are you?

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Ukyo was thinking the same thing as she walked down the streets looking for him.

I should never have let him leave, she thought.

She searched in the park and in several stores, asking if anyone had seen him.

No one she asked remembered seeing a man fitting Ryoga's description or a black piglet.

He's disappeared, Ukyo sighed and continued her search.

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Ryoga, meanwhile, was deep in the woods of some country/state/town or something. He didn't care about it, it was a forest.

Ryoga sat down under a tree and gazed up into the branches.

Little shimmers of light shown through the branches. Birds twittered and flew from branch to branch. Ryoga gave a slight smile at watching them, then he began to think of Akane.

What should I do? Saotome is a better fighter than myself and even if I won Akane would still love him. Perhaps I should let her go, but I don't want to give up! I love her.

Ryoga once more sunk into deep thought and not even the flutter of birds could disturb him.

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"Finally," muttered Ukyo.

She had finally found someone who had seen Ryoga. They pointed her towards the woods. Ukyo had thanked them and headed after Ryoga.

Even though Ukyo wasn't a skilled huntress, it wasn't too hard to find Ryoga's trail. Considering that he had cut and broken several trees and bushes to get where he was going.

Where ever he's going, she thought angrily, I don't know how bad his sense of direction is, he should at least have the decency to let people know where he's trying to go.

Ukyo's anger kept boiling over the fact that she had to go chasing after this baka instead of working her restaurant.

Why am I chasing after him? He's gone off before and I haven't cared, so why now?

Her anger dimmed as she tried to find a logical answer. Unfortunately, no one seemed to be having their questions answered that day. She left the question unanswered and kept looking for Ryoga.

"Ryoga, where are you?" Ukyo shouted.

A bunch of birds flew out of the tree branches but no answer was heard.

Unswayed, Ukyo continued her search.

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Odd, Ryoga thought, I could've have sworn I heard someone calling my name.

Ryoga shook his head and went back to thinking.

His questions were the same and the answers were not what he wanted to hear. It wasn't fair! Ranma not only was a better martial artist, but now he had Akane's love. The two things Ryoga wanted more than anything else Ranma had taken away from him. Ryoga could deal with not being the best martial artist, but knowing Akane would never love him? That was the worst thing ever.

Ryoga's confusion and depression became that of rage and anger.

He stood up and roared, "Saotome! I will have my revenge!"

"What'd Ranma do this time?" Ukyo asked, stepping out from behind some bushes.

"It's not for you to know," he answered.

"Ryoga, this sounds worse than `You almost splashed me with cold water in front of Akane.' What's going on?"

Ryoga turned his head away from her and simply said, "It is best if you do not know."

"Ryoga, I closed my store and spent all day tracking you down. I deserve to know why you're so depressed."

Ryoga decided to tell her. With a large sigh he said, "Ranma and Akane are in love."

Ukyo gasped and then mouthed the word `No.'

It couldn't be! But that would explain why Ryoga was so upset. A look at his face and she knew it was true.

"Well," she said slowly, "they haven't said anything to each other about it...have they?"

Ryoga turned his face to the ground and Ukyo was bewildered.

"They didn't!" she gasped.

Ryoga nodded his head while Ukyo went into a state of shock. These two had said they loved each other? Her hope of being Ranma's bride was dashed to bits. She fell to the ground and felt as though she had been shot in the heart.

"We have to do something," she whispered.

"What?" Ryoga asked. "I've been thinking about it but you know how it goes. They overcome whatever is thrown their way and get back together in the end. I haven't a single clue how to break them up.

"Two heads are better than one," Ukyo said.

Filled with determination, the two sat under the tree and began to think of a plan.

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Meanwhile, at the Tendo house, Ranma has a very uneasy feeling that something big was going to happen.

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"So, you know what to do?" Ukyo asked.

"Yes," Ryoga said, somewhat gloomily.

"Look," Ukyo sighed, "it's the best we've come up with. If we stick with this plan than we both can get what we want."

"All right, just...don't hurt her too much," Ryoga sighed.

"You got it," Ukyo grinned. "Come on, let's get set up."

"Okay," Ryoga said and tried to think of the bright side.

Akane will be mine, he thought, smiling.

"Come on!" he said, enthusiastically. "It's this way!"

"Actually, Ryoga...it's this way," Ukyo said, pointing in the opposite direction.

"Let's go!" he said, racing off.

"Ryoga! Wait up!" Ukyo called, running after him.

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After inhaling dinner, Ranma returned to his spot on the roof. He lay down and closed his eyes, listening to the crickets.

"What are you up to?" Akane asked, climbing onto the roof.

Ranma sighed and said, "I have this really uneasy feeling. I can't shake it, it won't go away. Something big is going to happen...but what?"

Akane came over and lay down next to him.

"Don't worry about it," she soothed. "You're probably just paranoid."

"Maybe you're right," Ranma said and gave her a smile.

"Of course I am!" she said.

But despite Akane's words, Ranma still couldn't help worrying.

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Meanwhile, two figures were in the yard behind Ukyo's restaurant. Both were busy constructing and object that took up nearly the entire yard. Yet, it's purpose remained unknown to all but the builders.

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Ranma awoke to see that he had fallen asleep on the roof. When he started to get up he felt a pressure on his chest. Tilting his head up, he saw Akane...asleep. he then remembered that Akane had been cold and he asked her to sit closer to him to get warmed up. She had snuggled into his arms and had fallen asleep a little after.

I must have fallen asleep too, he yawned.

Akane began to stir and she opened her eyes. When she turned her head towards him, he gazed into her beautiful eyes. He could never get sick of looking into her eyes.

"What is it, Ranma?" she asked softly, sitting up.

"I was staring t your eyes and wondering what keeps me from drowning in their depths," he answered and sat up too.

"Where'd you hear that from, Ranma?" Akane asked blushing. "It was wonderful."

"I...I made it up," Ranma said.

Suddenly he began to get that odd feeling.

What the...

"Do you mean it?" Akane asked.

"What?" Ranma asked, jarred from his thoughts.

"About my eyes?"

"Yes! Of course!" he answered her.

They both fell silent, unable to think of anything to say. Then, both leaned in close and kissed. Akane's hands went around his neck and he held her close to him. Nothing could ruin this moment.

"RANMA!!!"

Well, almost nothing.

Ryoga stood on the wall of the Tendos' house and was red with anger.

The two lovers on the roof broke up and Ranma stood.

"What do you want?" Ranma said, slightly agitated.

"You and I shall battle for Akane's hand! The winner shall be her true husband!" Ryoga shouted.

"Ryoga, we both know I'm going to win. Why do you want to fight?" Ranma asked.

"Because I love Akane and will not let someone like you take her away! I challenge you to a battle behind Ukyo's restaurant. Winner shall be Akane's fiancé, loser shall give his blessing," Ryoga snarled.

"Hey! I am not someone's trophy! You can't treat me like this!" Akane fumed.

"Ukyo sends this," Ryoga told her and tossed an okonomiyaki to her.

On the okonomiyaki was a challenge (for that day) at Ukyo's restaurant.

"Ukyo will tell you the rules of the battle when you get there," Ryoga said.

"Well," Ranma asked.

Akane wanted to protest about fighting but she saw the eagerness in Ranma's eyes. She sighed and nodded her head.

"Let's go!" Ranma said and lifted Akane in his arms.

"What are you doing?" she asked angrily.

"This will be faster," Ranma explained and leapt off the roof. He landed on the next roof and Ryoga raced after him. In no time they had reached Ukyo's restaurant, which was surprisingly empty.

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"Shampoo no like the sound of this," Shampoo said after Ryoga had issued the challenge for Ukyo. "They is up to something."

Shampoo silently followed the group headed towards Ukyo's. So absorbed with remaining out of sight, she didn't even notice the figure following her.

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The group knocked on the door. Ukyo appeared, dressed for battle.

"This way," she said icily.

She led them through the house and to the backyard.

"Woah," Ranma said as he saw the backyard.

A huge ring had been built there. It was large and square, and it looked brand new.

"Here's the rules," Ryoga said. "You and I shall fight for Akane's hand."

"After which, Akane and I will fight for Ranma's hand," Ukyo continued.

"That no fair!" a voice called.

They looked up to see a furious Shampoo on the roof.

"Shampoo want battle too!"

"I will enter and win my beloved!" called the shadow behind Shampoo.

"Kodachi," mumbled Ranma. "Does my life get any worse?"

"Saotome! I shall fight you once more!" shouted a figure from in a tree.

Ask a stupid question, Ranma thought.

"Hey! This is a battle for me, Ryoga, Ranma, and Akane!" Ukyo fumed. "You weren't invited."

"We will fight," Kodachi said angrily.

"One way or another," Kuno added.

"Fine!" Ukyo frowned, "But you're going to follow the rules."

"Shampoo do," Shampoo said and leapt off the roof.

"Very well," Kuno agreed.

"I will follow them if they are pleasing to me," Kodachi shrugged.

"The rules are: No double teaming and No killing. The first to fall out of the ring, give up, or get knocked out is the loser," Ryoga said.

"The winner of the girls shall be Ranma's bride and the winner of the guys will be Akane's husband," Ukyo said.

"You can't do that!" Akane said.

"Back out and lose your claim on Ranma," Ukyo smiled. "If Akane wins the girls and Ranma loses the boys, or visa versa, then it's back to all out war."

"Fine but losers will never bug Akane or me again," Ranma said. "No potions (glances at Shampoo and Kodachi), no pigs (looked at Ryoga), and no Blue Thunder ever."

"You is cocky," Shampoo said. "Shampoo win and you be my arien for good!"

"In your dreams!" Akane yelled.

"Akane and Shampoo, you're up first," Ukyo said.

"You can do it, Akane!" Ranma cheered smiling. "I know you can."

Akane gave him a small smile before entering the ring. Shampoo was already waiting. Ryoga rang the bell and the fight began.

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Come on Akane, Ranma thought.

The two fighters were circling each other, waiting for the other to attack. Shampoo leapt at Akane but Akane pulled out a mallet from hammer space and struck at Shampoo.

Shampoo pulled away just as the mallet hit the air where she had been. Shampoo came at Akane with a series of kicks and punches.

Akane received several blows when Ranma began to shout.

"Stupid, macho, uncute tomboy! What are you doing? Weakling!" Ranma yelled.

Tears started to fall down Akane's cheeks before she was overcome with rage.

"Shampoo's a much better fighter than you!" he yelled. "She's gonna wipe the floor with you!"

That did it. Akane screamed with anger and her ki energy pushed Shampoo away from her. Akane's blue ki surrounded her and she leapt at Shampoo. Shampoo managed to jump away in time but Akane jumped up behind her and delivered a mighty kick.

Shampoo was sent sailing out of the ring (she landed in Antarctica, but that's really not really important). After Shampoo was gone Akane focused on Ranma. Radiating blue she asked him, "Who's the best?"

"You, Akane!" Ranma said hurriedly, "You did great."

"Don't you forget it!" she said and her ki died down (Ranma sighed with relief. He was safe...for now).

Ukyo glared at Akane.

Hmm, Ukyo thought, this may be a little more difficult than I thought.

"Next up," she announced, "Kuno and Ranma."

The two fighters leapt up onto the ring and were poised for the sound of the bell.

"Now I shall have witnesses to see thy downfall," Kuno smirked.

"Thou talkest funny," Ranma mocked.

"Saotome!" Kuno roared.

This will be an interesting fight, Akane thought.

DING!

The bell was sounded and the two leapt at each other. Kuno had his bokken and aimed at Ranma but Ranma jumped and landed on Kuno's head. Kuno's face hit the floor and Ranma moved to the corner. Kuno rose and prepared to attack Ranma. Ranma made no move to attack, Kuno rushed at him. Ranma held his ground until the last second when he jumped over Kuno. Kuno turned and his momentum made him hit the post. Undaunted, Kuno rose and began to swipe at Ranma with his bokken. Ranma easily dodged the attack and landed on the post.

"Coward!" Kuno yelled.

"Hurry up Ranma," Akane yelled, "this is getting boring."

"Sure thing," Ranma replied.

"Why dost thou turnest against thy rescuer? Hath a spell been casteth upon thee? Never fear, beloved Akane! I..."

Kuno fell face first on the ground. While he had been making his speech, Ranma had snuck up behind him and knocked him out.

"Ranma wins," Ryoga grumbled.

"Ryoga doesn't sound so happy," Ranma teased.

"Next up," Ukyo called, "Kodachi and Akane."

When both figures were ready, Ryoga rang the bell.

"Beloved shall be mine," Kodachi hissed. "You will see."

"Oh yeah?" Akane growled.

"Yes, and he will forget all about you. I will be his only girl."

Ranma glanced and saw a spark of anger in Akane's eyes.

Boy, this is gonna be a good fight.

Kodachi pulled out her gymnastic ribbon and began to twirl it about. Akane kept her eye on the ribbon knowing that Kodachi's weapons were deadlier than they appeared.

With a flick of her wrist, Kodachi struck. Her ribbon cracked like a whip and struck Akane's shoulder.

Akane fought back tears of pain and tried to grab the ribbon, but Kodachi had already pulled it away.

Kodachi gave a wicked smile and sneered at Akane. Then she attacked with her hoop. When she threw her hoop, Akane tried to evade it to no avail. The hoop fell around her and began to tighten, pinning her arms to her side.

The hoop kept squeezing tighter each time Akane struggled to get free.

"Beloved is mine!" Kodachi said. "A weakling, such as yourself, could never beat the Black Rose!"

Akane's ki flared up and she put all her energy towards breaking the hoop. Kodachi frowned at the surge of energy and sent a shower of rose petals at Akane.

Akane had managed to break the hoop but became blinded by the petals. While Akane was distracted, Kodachi threw a small packet at Akane. When the packet hit her, it released a powder.

"This match is mine," Kodachi cackled. "That contained one of my strongest paralyzing powders!"

Already, Akane could feel her body tensing up.

I've got one shot so I'd better make it count.

Akane leapt in the air and pulled out a mallet from hammer space.

Kodachi is right below me, I just have to…

THWAP!!!

Akane's mallet struck the ground. Kodachi had moved out of the way and avoided the mallet. She stood two inches in front of Akane and laughed. Akane couldn't move at all except her eyes. They stared at Kodachi and anger radiated through them.

"If Akane can't move then I will start the count down now," Ukyo announced. "10…9…8…"

Ranma is mine, Akane screamed silently and struggled to move.

"7…6…5…"

I can't lose, especially not to her!

"4…3…2…"

"You can't have him!" Akane roared, lifting up her mallet.

Kodachi backed off in surprise. No one had ever been able to move after she used that powder! No one! Yet Akane had. Kodachi was distracted over this and Akane's mallet struck home. Kodachi was sent flying but she managed to grab onto one of the ropes attached to the ring. She stood on the rope and came to a decision.

"Tendo Akane, you were able to move after I used my strongest powder," Kodachi said, sounding sane for once. "My skills must have diminished whilst I chased after Beloved. Therefore, I no longer shall seek Be-, I mean, Ranma. I forfeit."

With that Kodachi jumped off the rope and on to the ground, then she sprinted off to work on her potions.

"Uh…Akane wins, next up is Ryoga vs Ranma," Ukyo announced.

Now the fun will begin, Ryoga smirked.

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Ryoga and Ranma stood tense in their corners. Both were ready to fight to the death if necessary. The bell rang and the two leapt at each other. They collided in midleap and began to punch and kick at each other, neither letting up. They broke away for a moment before continuing.

The spectators could barely keep up at the pace they were fighting. For all they knew, one of Ranma's punches could actually be a hundred hits at once. As for Ryoga, his hits came fewer but hurt a lot more, not to mention it looked as though he had been training.

Just then, one of Ranma's kicks sent Ryoga flying into a corner post. Ryoga rose, brushed himself off, and grinned, showing his fangs.

"What are you smiling about?" Ranma asked, posed and ready to fight.

"I've got a surprise for you, here!"

With that, Ryoga flung a circular object at Ranma. Ranma blocked it but the thing exploded all over him. Sputtering, Ranma-chan glanced at the pieces of balloon fragments on the ring floor. She then noticed something else lying amongst the fragments.

"Tuna?" she giggled. "You're gonna beat me with tuna?"

Ryoga smirked and pointed behind Ranma-chan. Instantly, the hairs on Ranma-chan's necked stood on end and she felt that something was deathly wrong. When she turned her eyes grew wide with fear.

"Agggg!!!" Ranma-chan screamed. "Caaaatttttsssss!!!"

A pack of cats had crept into Ukyo's yard. All of them were viciously sniffing the air and walking closer to the rink. Ranma-chan leapt on top of Ryoga's head and clutched it tightly.

Ryoga ignored the `slight' discomfort and asked, "Do you give up yet Ranma? After you do you can run away from your furry friends."

"You planed this," Ranma-chan hissed.

"Of course," Ryoga scoffed. "Do you yield?"

"No!" Ranma-chan shouted. "Never!"

She quickly got off Ryoga's head and began to attack with everything she had.

Ryoga was startled, thinking Ranma would give up when facing his biggest fear. This allowed Ranma to get in several good punches before Ryoga could recover enough to fight back. While this went on the cats began to encircle them.

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Ranma tried to keep his cool but the cats being so near was driving him crazy, literally.

Who knows what the Neko-ken will do, Ranma-chan thought. If I leave this rink I lose. How do I get away?

She kept attacking Ryoga but her fear was mounting. It was getting harder to breath and she was sweating with terror.

"Meeeoww!" one of the cats screeched and jumped on her.

She grabbed it and flung it off but now the others were attacking her.

Just like when pop threw me in the pit, Ranma-chan thought, frightened. It's happening again!

Memories began to flood her mind and she clutched her head. The pain was increasing; it felt as though her head would split!

Akane, she thought desperately, I can't give up!

"I refuse to lose this match and Akane because of some stupid fear!" he half yelled, half roared.

Ryoga and the cats were taken aback at Ranma exclamation. The cats raced away as Ranma charged Ryoga. Ranma brought his hand down in a swiping motion and the startled Ryoga found his shirt in shreds. Ryoga's eyes widened when he saw fangs similar to his in Ranma's mouth. He barely moved aside to avoid Ranma's attack and found himself at a great disadvantage. Ranma's speed and strength had increased greatly and Ryoga knew he was at Ranma's mercy.

Ranma-chan flashed him a grin and Ryoga shuddered to see her looking so…wild. With a snarl, Ranma-chan leapt at him and soon Ryoga found himself knocked on the floor, the wind knocked out of him.

"I don't know if I should thank you or kill you," Ranma-chan hissed for only Ryoga to hear. "Thanks to you, I think I have my cat problem solved."

Meanwhile, Akane was looking smugly at Ukyo.

"Looks like Ranma won," she told Ukyo.

"So what? You still have to beat me," Ukyo smirked.

"I'll take you down," Akane answered smugly.

Don't be so certain, Ukyo thought as she climbed into the ring.

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Ryoga rang the bell and the match began. Akane's mallet and Ukyo's spatula clashed together at the sound. They both refused to lose this fight, it was too important. They raised their weapons this time, Akane's mallet struck Ukyo and Ukyo's spatula hit Akane. Both were sent flying backwards but they quickly recovered and continued the fight.

Ranma (who had found some hot water and was back to his normal guy-self) and Ryoga watched intensely but for different reasons. Ranma watched and tried to help Akane while Ryoga waited for Ukyo's signal.

I don't want to do this but I don't have a choice. If Akane wins the fight then she'll be lost to me forever. Ryoga sighed inwardly. Why do I feel so rotten if this is the only way I can be with her?

He turned his attention back to the fight. Ukyo leapt up on one of the posts and raised her spatula in the air.

This is it!

Pulling out a small, rectangular device, he pushed a button on it.

Akane began to scream.

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"Akane! What is it?!" Ranma cried out.

Akane couldn't answer and Ranma watched as her hair began to stick up everywhere. He placed his had on the ring and pulled it away quickly.

Electricity! he thought How?!

Glancing around, he saw Ryoga's pale face.

"What's going on?!" Ranma shouted.

"I turned it on to stop Akane from winning. If she loses, Ukyo gets you and I can have Akane."

"Not a chance! Turn it off!" Ranma yelled.

"I tried! Ukyo made it so once it was turned on it can't be shut off! We agreed to only give her a small shock! Ukyo double crossed me!"

Ranma whirled to stare at his fiancé. Akane now was on her hands and knees.

"Akane, get up!" Ranma shouted, fear in his voice.

Akane struggled to rise but was unable to.

"Ranma's mine!" Ukyo said from atop her post. "You should have known that from the start!"

"UKYO! TURN IT OFF!" Ranma roared in rage.

"If she gives up I will turn off the power," Ukyo said calmly. "Otherwise, whatever happens is her fault."

"Akane," Ranma whispered tenderly, "give up. I don't want you to get hurt."

Akane looked at him, eyes teary and slowly shook her head.

"Death would be gentler than not having you," she whispered softly.

Akane began to pull herself to her feet, turning to Ukyo she said,

"I won't let you steal Ranma from me!"

Taking all of what little power she had, Akane jumped as high as she could and landed on one of the posts. She was dazed and weak while Ukyo was still ready to fight.

Ukyo smiled wickedly at her,

"Looks like I get to finish you myself."

"Good luck," Akane said wearily.

"I don't need luck!" Ukyo shouted, leaping at Akane with raised spatula.

Akane watched, unable to move, as Ukyo's spatula came closer to her. Thoughts began to race through her head.

She tried to cheat, she tried to electrocute me, and worst yet she tried to take Ranma away from me!

Her anger threatened to suffocate her. When she felt like she could stand it no more, it stopped and she erupted in a blaze of navy ki. Swirling around her in a menacing way, Ukyo was spooked and halted her attack in almost midair. Landing on a rope, Ukyo threw her mini spatula's at Akane who simply blasted them before they even left Ukyo's hand. Before Ukyo could react, Akane was on her. Ukyo was knocked silly and fell out of the ring. As soon as Ukyo's feet touched the ground, Akane's boosted ki energy left her and she feel off the pole she had been on. Her last conscious thought was that of Ranma catching her.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Ranma immediately rushed Akane to her house. He knew Akane was drained and only needed a rest so there was no need to see Dr. Tofu.

He had snuck through Akane's window so that none of the other residents in the house would be worried. He placed Akane on top of her bed and kneeled beside it.

He couldn't think of anything except what she had done. Over and over the battle with Ukyo, Kodachi, and Shampoo raced through his head. She had over come all the challenges just for him. Against impossible odds, her love had prevailed. If Ranma had doubted her feelings for him before, he no longer did now.

He stared at her face, mesmerized. He felt happiness spread across his body as he thought of how much they loved each other.

Nothing will tear us apart Akane, Ranma vowed, I will see to it.

"Ranma…"

Ranma looked at Akane who had her eyes partly opened.

"Shh," he whispered softly, brushing her hair off her face, "you need to rest."

"Ranma, I love you…" Akane trailed off as she fell asleep once more.

"I love you too," Ranma said, gently kissing her forehead.

Then he made his exit through Akane's window, glancing back at his sleeping beauty.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ranma, once more sitting on the roof of the Tendo's house, suddenly had a great idea. There was only one way to ensure that he would be with Akane forever. It was also a sure fire way to keep unwanted admirers away. Ranma could hardly wait till morning to tell Akane his plan.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Akane woke to a soft knocking on her door. Pushing P-chan aside, she got out of bed to answer the door. Before she could get there Ranma asked,

"Akane, can I come in?"

"Sure, what do you want?" Akane asked.

He entered the room with a determined look in his eyes.

"How quickly can you get your stuff packed?"

"In a few minutes, why? Is something wrong?"

"Last night I decided that this is crazy. Running away from admirers when we love each other. I figured that we need to do something about it."

"And that would be…?"

"Akane, will you marry me?" Ranma asked, a pleading look in his eye.

Akane looked at Ranma in shock as P-chan quietly snuck of the room.

"Ranma, I, of course I will."

"Great. We'll leave this afternoon."

"What do you mean?" Akane asked puzzled.

"Well, you know as well as I do that if we stick around to let our dad's plan the wedding it'll get ruined again. I figured, why don't we elope?"

"Oh Ranma," Akane breathed. "Can we, really?"

"Sure! If you pack we can catch a plane this afternoon and take care of everything there. By the time we get back we'll be married and there's nothing anyone can do about it."

"Where will we go?" Akane asked excitedly.

"I was thinking somewhere along the lines of…Hawaii?"

"You're wonderful! I'll be ready soon!"

Ranma left Akane to pack and found Ryoga waiting for him in his room.

"Well?" Ranma growled.

Ryoga bent his head and said softly, "I don't deserve her love any more. Now all I want is for her to be happy."

"You won't tell anyone then?"

"No one."

"Thanks Ryoga."

Ranma offered his hand which Ryoga took after a moment of hesitation.

Ryoga turned to the door and prepared to leave. Before he left the room Ryoga turned to look at Ranma,

"If you hurt her I'll kill you though."

When Ranma looked toward the door Ryoga had all ready left (or gotten lost).

~~~~~~~~~

****A few hours later*******

"You may now kiss the bride."

So he did. It was official, Ranma Saotome and Akane Tendo were now Ranma and Akane Saotome and there was nothing anyone could do about it. They left the Hawaii chapel hand in hand, happy to finally be together forever. Happy, that is, until that fateful day when Kuno, Kodachi, Ukyo, Shampoo, Cologne, Genma, Soun, and other random people found out about their marriage and looked for drastic measures to break them up (not Soun and Genma though, they were happy and drank lots of sake). FYI, in the end, none of their attempts worked.

The End (I hope!!)

"Love means each person is free to follow his or her own heart." anonymous